Parked outside the shop all winter it was too cold to do much serious work but I did get it sitting up straight on 4 tires that held air, for a while anyway.
By March I had compression on all cylinders and soon running and moving under it's own power. It made it's first trip down the driveway and back in April.
A pair of new shock absorbers got the front end stabilized and more driveable. A set of new water pumps kept the anti freeze in the cooling system from self draining when it was parked.
What paint was left shined up pretty well with steel wool and diesel fuel followed up with some Turtle wax rubbing compound.
The rusted out fuel tank was way beyond repair and a new plastic marine tank in the trunk solved that problem.
A seat from a newer vehicle was a nice replacement for the raccoon ravaged original seat in front.
It was almost a miracle that most of the lights still worked, inside and out!
It still has only a parking brake to provide some limited stopping action. It will of course require frequent driving to assure the valves do not stick from lack of movement again.
It has quite a presence on youtube ..
It's been fun watching the progress. I'm always struck by how much style cars, trucks and tractors had from the late 30's to the late fifties. There were some flops, but the lines of cars like your Merc are absolutely beautiful to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteIt's been fun watching the progress. I'm always struck by how much style cars, trucks and tractors had from the late 30's to the late fifties. There were some flops, but the lines of cars like your Merc are absolutely beautiful to my eyes.
ReplyDeleteThanks Orin. Its been fun. Just wish I had started at least ten years earlier.
DeleteGood job, Ralph!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gorges. Its come a long way in a year.
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